The Minister of Public Works is reported to be “naturally irritated at the imposition and misrepresentation” in a petition for a Post Office in Vancouver, “that to a great extent such a petition is fraudulent, many of the [supposed 1800 citizens’ signatures being those of ] children and persons not in British Columbia”. Council forms a committee to look who prepared the petition and how the irregularities occurred.

This transcript was made in 2015 by Transcribimus volunteers Margaret Sutherland
and Joy Marie Vasquez
and sponsored by Arnold Silber

2. That the present pound keeper be notified that his services will be no longer required and that applications be called for a pound keeper who will be required to enter upon his duties as soon as possible and that he be required to provide himself with a horse and devote his whole time to his duties.

3. That the claim of H. Connacher for payment for lumber purchased for sewers be not recognized.

4. That the claim of Messrs Foster & McLeod for payment for a sidewalk laid on Pacific Street be not recognized as they promised by letter to pay for the same.

All petitions for street improvements were laid over until the Estimates were complied.

Sgd. M. Costello for Chairman

Moved by Alderman Sentell, seconded by Alderman Carroll. That the Report of the Board of Works be adopted. Carried.

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Motions

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Browning. That $300.00 be placed to the credit of the Vancouver Branch of the Mainland Association to defray the expenses connected with the collection of voters for the Provincial Voters List. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Horne, seconded by Alderman Carroll. Whereas the City of Vancouver has at its own expense built and equipped an hospital according to the best modern methods and engage, and pay a suitable staff of servants, nurses and attendants thereto and have secured the services of a proper Medical Staff who daily attend to the patients in said hospital.

And whereas said hospital is used extensively by the inhabitants of a large Section of Country outside of the Vancouver, many of whom are unable and do not pay anything for the care and attendance afforded them while in said hospital.

And whereas the City of Vancouver has two large and expensive fire engines with two fire brigades consisting of a large membership of which all are regularly paid, also four horses and all the necessary hose and other equipments required to successfully combat the ravages of possible fires.

Be it therefore resolved by the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Vancouver in Council assembled that the Legislature of the Province of British Columbia be respectfully requested to make a grant of six thousand [………………..unreadable] hospital

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at Vancouver.

And be it further resolved that said Legislature be respectfully requested to grant the sum of one thousand dollars in aid of the Vancouver Fire Department.

And be it further be resolved that a copy of this Resolution signed by the Mayor and City Clerk be forwarded to the Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Browning, seconded by Alderman McLeod. Whereas the press of Victoria and Vancouver has published reports from its correspondents in Ottawa, stating that in a petition sent to the Minister of Public Works respecting a site for the post office in this City and which petition purported to be signed by 1800 individual citizens, persons competent to do such a thing, it has been discovered that to a great extent such petition is fraudulent, many names of children and persons not in British Columbia being inserted.

And whereas it is also stated that the said Minister is naturally irritated at the imposition and misrepresentation that has been attempted upon the Government for the purpose of influencing its action.

And whereas such a state of things is calculated to prejudice this City in the view of the
Government while it puts the citizens as a whole in a most unfavourable light before the people of the country.

And whereas the citizens of Vancouver to do anything possible to protect the interests and good name of the City. Therefore be it resolved that this Council

[volume 3 page 297]

appoint Aldermen Garden, Costello, Doering and mover and seconder a committee to investigate the subject of such petition to ascertain who drew it up, circulated it, and obtained the signatures to it, and by whom it was completed and forwarded to Mr. Mara M. P. for presentation to the Minister of Works and report the finding to Council as early as possible, with a view to the Council making such explanation to the Department as it may deem desirable or expedient in the premises. Carried.

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Garden. That the following account for labor be paid:

P. Atkinson et al $93.00 Carried.

Moved by Alderman Costello, seconded by Alderman Garden. That the following Park accounts be paid:

Moved by Alderman Fox, seconded by Alderman Sentell. That Architects for the Market Building be notified to proceed with the erection of the clock tower as per plan submitted to the Board of Works and accepted by them. Carried.

Notice of Motion

Alderman Carroll gave notice that he

[volume 3 page 298]

would introduce the following resolution on Monday the 24th inst:

“That whereas large areas of valuable unimproved and unoccupied land in this Municipality are held for speculative purposes and are being increased in value by the improvements made for business and residential purposes.

And whereas said lands held as aforesaid are not producing a fair proportionate share of
Municipal income and are assessed for much less than other lands in the same locality owned by those who make improvements on their lands and thereby adding to the permanent wealth and growth of the City.

Therefore be it resolved that this Council procure legislation without delay to amend the Vancouver Incorporation Act and Amending Acts so that this Municipality may be enabled and empowered to levy municipal rates and taxes on lands alone and to have discretionary powers to levy taxes and rates on improvements made on lands or to exempt such improvements from taxes or rates whatsoever.